Governorship candidates of three political parties in Rivers State, Chief Nyesom Wike of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Honourable Dakuku Peterside of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and Prince Tonye Princewill of the Labour Party (LP), have agreed to ensure violent-free elections in the state, in February.
The three leading governorship candidates made the peace pledge in Port Harcourt, on Thursday, during a roundtable, jointly organised by the United States Embassy in Nigeria and an organisation named, the Dawn in the Creeks Board of Advisors.
“I (name), do hereby pledge on behalf of myself and my supporters, to promote peaceful participation in the 2015 elections and beyond.
“I further pledge to accept the outcomes of the elections, whatever they may be and to seek redress for any perceived injustice through legal and legitimate channels,” they pledged.
Wike expressed his commitment and his party’s to a peaceful and violent-free election. He also affirmed his party’s commitment towards credible elections, saying that peace was imperative for the progress and development of Rivers State.
On his part, the APC governorship candidate, Peterside, who also spoke, said peace was necessary, not just for the conduct of credible elections, but also inevitable for a united Rivers State.
The Labour Party candidate, Princewill, in his own address noted that elections conducted in a violent atmosphere had never done any state or nation good.
He also restated the commitment of his party’s leaders and members to credible and peaceful elections to engender development and secure the future of the state.